Video: Pope Francis’ Angelus blessing, plus shots of the crowd
posted at 2:01 pm on March 17, 2013 by Ed Morrissey
(VATICAN CITY) Earlier today, Pope Francis offered the traditional Sunday Angelus prayer, as well as blessings on the citizens of Rome. At least 150,000 crowded into St. Peter’s Square and the Via Conciliazione to hear the new pontiff offer some spontaneous thoughts before and after the Angelus prayer, speaking only in Italian — a bit of a break from recent tradition. “In just five days,” writes CBS News (via The Week), Francis’ straightforward, spontaneous style has become immediate hallmark of his papacy”:
Earlier Sunday, he made an impromptu appearance before the public from a side gate of the Vatican, startling passers-by and prompting cheers, before delivering a six minute homily — brief by church standards — at the Vatican’s tiny parish church.
I had actually heard about the plan for Francis’ homily late yesterday. In fact, I went to Mass there on Saturday morning before lining up for the papal audience, and we went once during our last trip to Rome. The church is beautiful, with plenty of astonishing artwork, but very small. I doubt it could seat 100 people, and even getting in early would have been an impossibility. As it turned out, the combination of the planned Angelus and the city’s annual marathon forced the suspension of bus service in the center of the city, so I walked a mile to get to another church nearby the Vatican so I could cover the papal address. I had to walk back, too, and the planned sightseeing bus tour will have to wait for another day.
Instead of offering the entire event, which lasted around 13 minutes, the video below is of Pope Francis’ post-Angelus remarks, with still shots of the crowd during and immediately after the speech interspersed. There are plenty of banners and flags, and be sure to see if you can spot Pakistan’s flag in the crowd, apparently representing the small Christian community there:
I shot this from the top of the left colonnade, part of the beautiful architecture that embraces the piazza from the basilica, and that’s a story in itself. The top of the colonnade is around three or four stories up, and the only way up is a construction-style lift that normally panics me. A kind photographer from National Catholic Reporter kept me calm, and it was well worth the journey. I was able to get much clearer photos of detail on the basilica, and two of the images you will see in the video. I’d guess that there were 200-300 media people up there with me, and I was probably in the first 50 to go back down at the end.
(Side note: I’ll have to go back up again, I believe, for the installation Mass on Tuesday, but I won’t shoot video; I’ll stick with still shots.)
To wrap this up, let’s check in with David Gregory on Meet the Press, talking with Cardinal Francis George about Pope Francis. George tries to emphasize the pastoral focus of the new pontiff, but Gregory’s more interested in talking about American politics — which earns a rebuke from Cardinal George, as The Corner’s Patrick Brennan reports:
When asked about the tension between the Church’s teachings and contemporary attitudes, George emphasized that the pope “simply has to preach the Gospel,” even in a context so secularized that it seems “there is no god and Freud is his prophet.” He lamented that “for the sake of sexual liberation, we’re willing to let a lot of other liberties go.” The cardinal said he was “not sure we realize what’s going on,” but that Pope Francis “will help us to realize it better.” Gregory pushed him about the Church’s role in American politics, but the cardinal rejected that Catholic teachings are easily mapped onto American politics: “The categories you use are conservative and liberal, you’ll be using them today, our categories are what is true and what is false.”
Sounds like the media isn’t moving on from its initial focus in this papal transition. Too bad.
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Don’t worry, they will be back on their knees by next week.
Alabama Infidel on May 15, 2013 at 11:53 AM
Not inclined to waste cells on it and not into entertainment at this time, but she has a pretty appropriate nom, the duncette.
Schadenfreude on May 15, 2013 at 11:54 AM
I still think they could make better arguments. And why do some of them bother trying to convince us they have an open mind? I guess it’s hard to steal talking points from the paid hacks while HotAir and others are refuting them.
Cindy Munford on May 15, 2013 at 11:56 AM
…and a 1st Amendment these creeps live well off of, and which they encouraged to be destroyed (not to diminish the other amendments, but this applies to their existence).
They brung/kept Obama, along with all the other dunces, from both sides. May he destroy all, in full.
Schadenfreude on May 15, 2013 at 11:57 AM
You will seldom see me request the ban hammer. I’m completely interested in differing opinions. Just wondering where the middle ground on the ability to convey those different opinions could be found.
Cindy Munford on May 15, 2013 at 11:59 AM
Liam on May 15, 2013 at 11:07 AM
You spoke too soon. The “glee over the white Boston bomber” showed up, ahead of you. Glee must have vanished, all of a sudden.
Schadenfreude on May 15, 2013 at 12:02 PM
Yeah, that’s it. Sure. He’s not enough of a people person. He’s too aloof. If he only slapped some more backs, the media would all be supporting him more. Where’s LBJ when you need him? (sarc)
This analysis by Politico is stupid and wrongheaded on too many levels to count.
Burke on May 15, 2013 at 12:03 PM
Cindy Munford on May 15, 2013 at 11:59 AM
He’ll hang himself. He’s good for HA Capitalism.
I like to know how they are. Only strenghthens my contention that they are all thugs, claiming to be so erudite, enlightened, egalitarian, free…compared to us, the rubes :)
Schadenfreude on May 15, 2013 at 12:06 PM
I glory in being a rube.
Cindy Munford on May 15, 2013 at 12:09 PM
When he promised TRANSFORMATION WAS COMING TO AMERICA, he wasn’t kidding, and all the idiots followed.
rjoco1 on May 15, 2013 at 12:21 PM
Because they actually believe that they do have an open mind. To positions they find reasonable, the type of ‘reasonable’ having nothing to do with reason.
Fenris on May 15, 2013 at 12:22 PM
Me too, Cindy.
———-
Expose this waste of dough, for retraining the obvious, fools of Obama. I wouldn’t be surprised if Brennan and Hagel would by now be converted to Islam already.
Schadenfreude on May 15, 2013 at 12:22 PM
Color me unimpressed by the press’s sudden burst of interest in executive branch overreach. They’ve been spiking stories for the last 5 years that document this SOB’s gross abuse of power, corruption, incompetence, and utter contempt of the law and civil society. Obama and his Stalinist followers have demonized and abused entire swaths of American society for years. Only now that he’s been caught abusing the press they finally take notice? They can eat crap and die for all I care.
RobertE on May 15, 2013 at 12:24 PM
lol
Resist We Much on May 15, 2013 at 12:31 PM
Her name is Allison. I call her Allidunce.
Resist We Much on May 15, 2013 at 12:32 PM
Exactly, a few phone calls, a couple of “beer summits”, a nice dinner, some “inside info”, and all will be forgiven…
right2bright on May 15, 2013 at 12:34 PM
This is bad news people. I am really sickened by the idea that BigGov sees fit to encroach upon my freedom. There is a reason the First Amendment leads the BOR.
I am almost sure that I have used one of the phones that was tapped. Breathe, it was years ago at Hartfod’s, Courant.
Without giving up too much info here are a few details:
Scores if not hundreds of people have used the phones all over that newsroom. Imagine your own office or home? Does anybody let a landline ring ceaselessly? No. People answer and use landlines at will. That likely means that people who have NOTHING to do with their investigation are now dockets and potential witnesses. (Would defense attorneys would be entitled to interview every person captured in those recordings?)
Feds trapped phone numbers and IDs for incoming calls to varying AP offices. This means that reporters, staff, custodians even third-party vendors could have incoming calls routed through the newsroom. How could they possibly filter thousands of incoming sources to protect your privacy? They can’t and likely did not.
I don’t know what the exact arrangement is but AP reporters seemin to freely use Courant facilities and vice-versa. Though the latter seemed somewhat limited access. That being said, I know that Courant reporters were able to login to AP photo and article DB from Courant workstations.
Also, AP files are accessable remotely from anywhere in the world I believe. Why not tap every phone in America? The potential for witnesses would be unmatched.
This is not a report. It is recalled off the top and simply meant to add context.
If you’re a fed, consider everything I just wrote a lie. Also **** you for violating our primary tool for freedom.
Capitalist Hog on May 15, 2013 at 1:27 PM
Translation: “When there’s no false narrative,
stuff like thisthe truth consumes you.”novaculus on May 15, 2013 at 1:27 PM
Do you know what “spiking” means? If so you realize that making such a statement requires specific instances or you’re simply making stuff up. I’m not saying stories don’t get spiked. I’ve seen it happen. I’ve been told to stop calling or interviewing subjects.
I don’t disagree with you. I just don’t believe you know what you’re talking about.
Capitalist Hog on May 15, 2013 at 1:29 PM
At least we know they investigated the Fast & Furious scandal to it’s fullest. So, they dodged that bullet.
BKeyser on May 15, 2013 at 1:30 PM
Reporter: How many reporters records were seized?
Holder: I’m not sure.
Capitalist Hog on May 15, 2013 at 1:56 PM
Well, there you go. He’s not good at math either.
Barnestormer on May 15, 2013 at 2:10 PM
Though it’s difficult to plumb the depths of leftist stupidity, especially the fools in the WH, turning on the media has to be one of the greatest blunders in ever. They made Obama, & by extension the low lifes around him. AG Holder quickly comes to mind in that area. So what do the lower order apes do, they contrive to wreck the relationship
arand on May 15, 2013 at 2:44 PM
“They’re just jealous they don’t have relatives of their top execs setting White House policy like we do. Holder, crush them!” – CBSABCCNNPMSDNC cabal
Steve Eggleston on May 15, 2013 at 2:51 PM
This would have been the Comment of the Day™, but you had the wrong owner/owned relationship. Presstitute organs don’t own who they spew for.
Steve Eggleston on May 15, 2013 at 2:53 PM
They thought their endless bum-nuzzling would give them an exemption. All they got for their effort was a brown mustache . . .
tpitman on May 15, 2013 at 2:56 PM
Charles Johnson over at LGF:
Capitalist Hog on May 15, 2013 at 3:06 PM
Up-Chuck Oddly Blind
Steve Eggleston on May 15, 2013 at 3:13 PM
The media is so utterly corrupt.
The result of this will be a couple people fired and the continued cover up of Fast and Furious and Bengazi. The left will continue to oppress those that fight their power with Big Government. This is just standard opporating procedure in any statist regime.
GardenGnome on May 15, 2013 at 3:31 PM
Aww, it’s never fun when the Brownshirt mob comes a’knockin on YOUR door, is it?
You dolts always said the “Pen is Mightier than the Sword”…prove it now. Otherwise, suck it up and put some ice on it…
Maggots.
BlaxPac on May 15, 2013 at 3:47 PM
Michelle Malkin’s header image alludes to that same cliché.
I don’t understand how so many conservatives fail to believe in and promote the importance of journalism. FOP comes before gun-owner rights. Dismissing all journalists is perilous.
This scandal has the potential to inspire more conservative journalists. But it won’t. Tea Partiers prefer extremism to being informed. GOP and moderates are too stupid, feckless and wussified to think outside the Tea Party box.
Capitalist Hog on May 15, 2013 at 3:55 PM
And Obama’s answer: No you can’t drive!
“After they drove the car into the ditch, made it as difficult as possible for us to pull it back, now they want to keys back. No! You can’t drive. We don’t want to have to go back into the ditch. We just got the car out.”
socalcon on May 15, 2013 at 4:23 PM
I’m not treated with respect…But I am the Atty. Gen. of the United States – Holder
workingclass artist on May 15, 2013 at 5:04 PM
CSPAN: WH asks Schumer to reintroduce a Press Shield law…
d1carter on May 15, 2013 at 5:19 PM
Since when has the AP behaved like an upstanding news organization? They use the power of the press to attack Tea Party groups and conservatives and Republicans. Note how quick they are to jump on scandals involving these groups and how they provide minimal coverage of Dem scandals. Often they leave out the political affiliation if a Dem is involved in a scandal.
Media elites have such a high opinion of themselves that this is the first time they’re really mad at Obama. How dare the administration attack the holy media! 4 dead Americans and a big lie about a stupid cartoonish video = no big deal. NDAA = no big deal. Fast & Furious = no big deal. AP phone records seized = (as Biden would say) a BFD.
Ibanez Lotus on May 15, 2013 at 8:18 PM
I do believe in the importance of true journalism. However, the MSM has not practiced true journalism in a long time. The majority of MSM reporters are registered democrats and that leaves us with a one-sided Pravda-like press.
Nice way to pretend to care about having more conservative journalists. Inspirational, the sweeping attack on such a large group of Americans. There are decent MSM reporters like Jake Tapper out there, but I think I’ll borrow your broad brush and call MSM reporters the Joseph Goebbels and Leni Riefenstahls of journalism.
Ibanez Lotus on May 15, 2013 at 8:30 PM
Screw the MSM you dolt.
Hmmm, did you know Michelle Malkin was one a mainstream media journalist? There are others here at HotAir too. I have always asserted that the right is well-suited to reproduce the Tea Party enthusiasm and growth in journalism instead of outrage.
You mention Jake Tapper. He’s pretty solid. But I bet you more Republicans conservatives listen to Glenn Beck who is mostly full of shiite. But I’m sure you’ll defend him. Per my presumption, you embody the problem. (Pardon my endogenous sleight of hand if you will.)
The Tea Party disgusts me. Journalism gives me hope. Too bad Republicans have screwed themselves by embracing the wrong avenue to extend the party’s lifeline. GOP is on an IV drip as evidenced by the hysterics which would normally be played out on the left.
Yes, there are people like Kevin Williamson and NR. There’s Howard Portnoy who now blogs/reports at Liberty Unyielding. He used to be in the Green Room here. Counter to that, there are so many angry voices that just rant and rave. Good reporting gets buried. Ha, bury the lede as a lifestyle.
Any so-called conservative who doesn’t long for conservative reporters is an idiot. You sound like an idiot.
Then I’ve been pretending for a long time.
You’re just so tragically partisan that you deign not to think for yourself. The thought of doing so frightens you. Also you must not know me very well because I don’t need an excuse. Read any one of my comments and you’ll figure that out quickly. I’m that a-hole. Got it?
You react to moderation like liberals react to black-conservatives. Since you make an assertion. I’d love to see you back it up. You can accuse me of being an insensitive jerk but you must realize that I back up what I say as often as time permits.
(This reply was a perfect excuse to blow my workout this morning. Thank you for being daft.)
Capitalist Hog on May 16, 2013 at 10:45 AM
MKH’s Green Room post shows the importance of conservative journalism is necessary. Angry voices don’t reach as many people as conservatives like to think. Americans still like their news soft-serve.
Jake Tapper is not enough. We need more unbiased voices in news.
Capitalist Hog on May 16, 2013 at 11:44 AM
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